La Liga president Javier Tebas issues a surprising decision, described by some as ‘direct support for Barcelona’ in their European campaign for the Champions League title!

In a move that has sparked heated debate across Spain, La Liga president Javier Tebas has made a scheduling decision that many believe gives FC Barcelona a competitive edge in their ongoing Champions League campaign. While the Catalan club gears up for their semi-final showdown against Inter Milan, their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, have been left fuming over what they perceive as unfair treatment.

The issue erupted following an official announcement by La Liga regarding the match schedule for Round 34. According to the new fixture, Barcelona will play their domestic league game against Real Valladolid on Saturday, May 3, at 9:00 PM, granting them ample recovery time before their Champions League semi-final second leg. In contrast, Real Madrid’s clash with Celta Vigo is set for Sunday, May 4, at 2:00 PM, leaving Los Blancos with significantly less preparation time should they still be active in Europe.

Although Real Madrid were eliminated by Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, the unequal treatment in scheduling has caused many of their fans and pundits to look back in anger, especially considering La Liga denied their request for a similar adjustment ahead of the decisive second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, typically composed in such situations, couldn’t completely hide his frustration when asked about the league’s decision. “We don’t understand it, but this is the reality,” Ancelotti said. “We had more than 72 hours of rest, so we can’t complain — but it is curious, isn’t it?”

The controversy has stirred wider discussions about league neutrality and whether La Liga, under Tebas’s leadership, is showing a soft spot for Barcelona — especially at a time when they are Spain’s last hope in European competition.

Barcelona will play their first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan on April 30 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, before heading to Italy for the second leg at the Giuseppe Meazza on May 6. These two matches could define their entire season, and having an extra day of rest might give them a crucial edge.

Critics argue that La Liga’s primary duty is to maintain fairness among all clubs. “It’s not about Barcelona or Madrid,” said one sports analyst on Spanish television. “It’s about maintaining credibility. If you make such accommodations for one team, you must offer the same to all.”

On social media, the backlash was swift. Real Madrid supporters took to X (formerly Twitter), claiming that Tebas was “wearing Blaugrana under his suit” and accusing the league of tilting the scales in Barcelona’s favor just when the title race and European competitions are reaching a boiling point.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Javier Tebas has been accused of showing bias. In previous seasons, he has publicly expressed admiration for Barcelona’s footballing model and has often clashed with Real Madrid over issues like the European Super League and financial controls.

Some pundits believe this decision is less about favoritism and more about ensuring Spain’s representation deep into the Champions League. With Real Madrid now out, Barcelona’s continued progress in Europe boosts La Liga’s reputation and marketability on the global stage.

Barcelona, for their part, have remained silent on the matter. Coach Xavi Hernández and the club’s leadership have neither confirmed nor denied any involvement in the scheduling request. But it’s clear that they are benefiting from the league’s accommodation, and that alone has stirred resentment across the capital.

The timing of this move is especially sensitive given the tight race in La Liga. With just a handful of games left, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are still within striking distance of the title, meaning every hour of rest and every decision off the pitch could influence the final outcome.

As the calendar marches forward, more eyes than ever will be on how these games play out — not just in terms of results, but also in how La Liga manages scheduling equity going forward. Tebas’s latest decision may have been made with the best of intentions, but it has opened up old wounds in Spain’s fiercest football rivalry.

And now, with the Copa del Rey and La Liga titles still up for grabs before the Club World Cup, tensions are only expected to rise. Madrid’s camp will surely remember this episode, and should they return to the Champions League next season with a similar request, they’ll expect identical treatment.

Ultimately, the spotlight is now as much on Tebas as it is on the players. As Barcelona chase continental glory and Madrid pursue domestic dominance, every move from the league’s top brass will be scrutinized.

This saga once again proves that in Spain, football is never just played on the pitch. It’s a chessboard of politics, power, and passion — and Javier Tebas has just made the next controversial move.